rocco’s Recomendations

Rocco Vernia

Summer is here, and in this month’s recommendations are the best summer albums to listen to while driving around, windows down.

1) The Beach Boys – “Pet Sounds”: The Beach Boys are the perfect summer music. It’s what they’ve geared their sound towards, and Pet Sounds, released in 1966, is their crowning accomplishment. “Pet Sounds” is recognized as one of the most important albums of all time, placing No. 1 on Times and New Musical Express and No. 2 on Rolling Stones lists of greatest albums of all time and is the quintessential summer album.

Recommended tracks: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “Sloop John B”, “You Still Believe In Me.”

2) Foxy Shazam – “Foxy Shazam”: The third studio album by Ohio natives Foxy Shazam, the self-titled album is a exuberantly happy glam-rock masterpiece that harkens back to the likes of Queen but more crazy. The ultimate feel-good album, it is perfect for summer.

Recommended tracks: “Killin It”, “Oh Lord”, “Second Floor.”

3) Daft Punk – “Discovery”: Possibly the most influential album of the last 20 years, “Discovery” is the sophomore work of French electronic duo and musical geniuses Daft Punk. A throwback album to ‘70s disco, “Discovery” has been heralded as the best electronic album of all time.

4) The Flaming Lips – “The Soft Bulletin”: Part psychedelic, part space-rock and all experimental, The Flaming Lips’ 1999 album “The Soft Bulletin” is the perfect late summer night music. Placing at No. four on Pitchfork’s 100 greatest albums of the ‘90s, “The Soft Bulletin” is a must-listen for all music fans.

Recommended tracks: “Waitin for Superman”, “Race For The Prize”, “Buggin.”

5) Catch 22 – “Keasbey Nights”: No other album is as much of a cult classic in the Ska music scene as much as “Keasbey Nights”. Featuring the perfect combination of high energy, blaring horn sections and smooth production, Keasbey Nights is a great album regardless of genre and is a great summer listening album due to its happy nature.